Question NW1645 to the Minister of Public Works
06 September 2016 - NW1645
Dudley, Ms C to ask the Minister of Public Works
(1) Is he aware that the lease of a certain property to a certain school (name and details furnished) that currently educates 282 learners and has 36 full-time staff members is about to go to tender despite the fact that the specified school (a) has (i) been running for many years and (ii) invested in the property and (b) desperately wants to continue and expand to meet local needs; (2) whether he will urgently look into this situation so that it can be rectified and the school be allowed to provide the much needed expanded services to the community?
Reply:
The Minister of Public Works
1. (a) (i) and (ii) and (b) The property in question is not being put out to tender. The National Department of Public Works (NDPW) received an application from Willow Academy on 20 July 2016, with two options for the Department to consider. The options were either to purchase Erven 182 & 183 Fairview at a fair price or to enter into a long term lease agreement between the NDPW and Willow Academy.
The Department is in the process of considering the application and as an interim measure a six (6) month caretaker’s agreement was entered into with Willow Academy with effect from 01 August 2016 until 31 January 2017.
2. The NDPW is considering the application by the Academy and following the necessary investigations and options analysis will engage with the school within the ambit of Government policy and legislation and a decision will be based on the consideration of the facts at hand.
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